PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tyreke Vesilla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kula Modrich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Vesilla
vs
Modrich

173 cm
23
149 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tyreke Vesilla!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kula Modrich!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Hugh Johnson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vesilla fakes the leg kick and cracks Modrich in the body.
Modrich defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vesilla.

Vesilla closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Modrich quickly recovers to half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Modrich is not content to let Vesilla control the position.
Vesilla tries to pass the half guard into mount. Modrich knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Vesilla prevents Modrich from improving his position.
Modrich trying to control here.
Vesilla trying to control from half guard but Modrich is working away.
Vesilla works his way into full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vesilla prevents Modrich from getting the reversal.
Vesilla avoids the attempt from Modrich to control.
Modrich really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vesilla. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Modrich defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Vesilla.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Vesilla looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesilla trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Modrich is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Vesilla working for a guillotine from mount but Modrich is in no mood to give up.
Vesilla controlling from the full mount.

Vesilla looking to secure an arm triangle but Modrich defends it well.
Modrich sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Vesilla is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vesilla is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesilla trying to control the action but Modrich is working from the bottom.
Modrich trying to control but Vesilla postures up.
Vesilla seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Modrich does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Modrich is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Vesilla is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Modrich has managed to free his arm - good work.
Modrich wants to improve his position but Vesilla is controlling well.
Modrich keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Modrich trying to hold on to Vesilla's head to control him but Vesilla postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Modrich keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Modrich is looking to control Vesilla's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Modrich avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kula Modrich was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Modrich scores with a crisp jab that stopped Vesilla in his tracks.
Tyreke Vesilla seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vesilla misses with a takedown attempt - Modrich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vesilla tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Modrich manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vesilla shoots in for a double leg but Modrich sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyreke Vesilla. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vesilla gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Modrich.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Vesilla.
Vesilla looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Modrich throws a series of punches but Vesilla moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesilla darts in looking for a takedown but Modrich gets double underhooks and turns Vesilla into the cage.

Modrich turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Modrich manages to end up in side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vesilla seems a little lost for a moment, as Modrich dominates the positioning.
Let's hope that Modrich has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
You can see the frustration on Vesilla's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Vesilla is looking for a sweep.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Vesilla is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Modrich wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vesilla keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Modrich controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kula Modrich will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Modrich lands with a cross.
Vesilla fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vesilla takes one to the chin there.
Modrich scores with a jab. Vesilla acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Vesilla bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Vesilla looking to score a takedown here. Modrich is defending well but Vesilla drives through and ends up in Modrich's guard.
Vesilla forces his way into half guard.

Vesilla is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Modrich defends it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Modrich is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vesilla trying to pass the guard but Modrich defending well.
Vesilla is thwarting Modrich's attempts to control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Modrich is looking for a sweep. Vesilla is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Modrich is positioning himself well to prevent Vesilla advancing to mount.
Vesilla tries to pass to full mount but Modrich defends it.
Vesilla is thwarting Modrich's attempts to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Vesilla is trying to control the action in half guard but Modrich is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Modrich wants to get back to full guard.
Vesilla wants to control but Modrich is keeping him busy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Vesilla throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Modrich scores with a four punch combination!
Vesilla on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Vesilla shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Modrich sprawls well. Modrich wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Vesilla gets slowly back to his feet.
Modrich lands with a hook. Vesilla tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesilla doesn't manage to clinch there - Modrich circles away.
Vesilla is looking to clinch but Modrich is avoiding it.
Modrich's corner calls for a 1-2. Modrich obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Modrich lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Vesilla changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Modrich looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Modrich sneaks back into half guard.
Vesilla trying to control the action but Modrich is working from the bottom.

Vesilla is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Modrich sees it coming and defends easily.
Vesilla wants to free his trapped foot but Modrich is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Modrich actively working from the bottom here.
Modrich is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesilla wants to free his trapped foot but Modrich is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Vesilla is keen to just control but Modrich is a slippery customer.
Vesilla is thwarting Modrich's attempts to control the position.
Vesilla is trying to control the action in half guard but Modrich is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Modrich is pressing down on Vesilla's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Modrich is pulling down on Vesilla's head. It's preventing any offense from Vesilla, at least for the moment.
Tyreke Vesilla overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Modrich working for a triangle but Vesilla defends it easily.
Vesilla trying to control but Modrich is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesilla passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Vesilla trying to control the position but Modrich is working away.

Vesilla looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Vesilla is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Modrich knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Vesilla is trying to get an arm triangle but Modrich is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Modrich is trying to control Vesilla's posture but Vesilla avoids it.
Modrich gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tyreke Vesilla will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A decent looking cross lands there for Modrich.

Vesilla fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Modrich, pushing him back against the cage.

Vesilla gets control of Modrich's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vesilla will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Vesilla looking to hit a scissor sweep but Modrich is one step ahead there.
Modrich controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Vesilla throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Modrich trying to control the position from guard on top but Vesilla is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Modrich postures up.
Modrich must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vesilla escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Modrich gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Vesilla escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Modrich gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Modrich trying to control but Vesilla is working from the bottom.
Vesilla keeping full guard, as Modrich tries to pass.
Modrich controls from within his opponent's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Vesilla is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Modrich looking to pass the guard.
Vesilla can't keep his opponent in guard - Modrich advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Vesilla tries to get to full guard but Modrich has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Modrich has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Modrich moves to back control.
Vesilla is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Modrich.
Vesilla manages to reverse the position and now he's in Modrich's guard. Nice work there by Vesilla.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Modrich looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vesilla trying to control the position from guard on top but Modrich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vesilla is really struggling to control Modrich but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Modrich looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Modrich is pulling down on Vesilla's head. It's preventing any offense from Vesilla, at least for the moment.
Vesilla wants to control from the top but Modrich keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Tyreke Vesilla.
Modrich thuds his right hand into Vesilla's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Modrich listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Vesilla takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Modrich moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Modrich misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesilla tries to clinch up but Modrich circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice sprawl there from Modrich as Vesilla shoots in.
Modrich connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Modrich is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Modrich lands with a right hand.

Vesilla pushes Modrich up against the cage in a clinch.

Modrich decides to pull guard.
Vesilla pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Modrich is keeping the position for now.
Modrich is pulling down on Vesilla's head to control his posture.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Modrich keeping full guard, as Vesilla tries to pass.
Modrich keeping moving, preventing Vesilla from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kula Modrich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Modrich has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kula Modrich!
In defeat, Tyreke Vesilla stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll come back stronger next time.'.